Jessica Meza

Jessica Meza is a transfer communicative disorders major from Joliet, IL

Hometown: Joliet, IL

High School: Joliet West High School

Year: Expected graduation: 2025

Transfer from: Joliet Junior College

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
NIU has an excellent communicative disorders program, offers many scholarship opportunities and has an affordable cost of attendance.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I always wanted to be a teacher and follow in my mother’s footsteps, especially after seeing the positive impact she had on her students. Additionally, I liked the creative aspect that goes into teaching. However, after hearing about my experience in speech therapy as a child and further exploring the field of speech-language pathology, I decided I wanted to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist (SLP). I was intrigued by the many possibilities in the field and knew I wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to also work with children.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am majoring in communicative disorders and minoring in deafness. As an SLP, I will have the option to work in a variety of settings with many different populations. Most importantly, I chose this field because it helps people communicate and express themselves. After observing speech therapy sessions in a clinic and seeing the joy it brings to work with children, my decision to pursue this career was further solidified.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
I am currently an undergraduate research assistant (URA) for a study about word learning and vocabulary development in blind or visually impaired children. It has been interesting to learn about the unique learning experiences everyone has and how individuals navigate everyday life with a visual impairment.

How has conducting research strengthened your education and experience at NIU?
Participating in research gives me hands-on, real-life experience/knowledge that I can build upon and utilize in my classes.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
The research I am part of will help me be more informed about the blind or visually impaired population and allow me to support future clients with this disability.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
Dr. Allison Gladfelter and Dr. Lindsay Harris have been crucial to my success in completing research. They have guided me and equipped me to feel confident in my assigned tasks. Going into the research I had no idea what to expect; however, they have both made it an enjoyable process.

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
Research is a great opportunity to connect with your professors, learn new skills and encourage curiosity. Don’t be afraid to try something new! You are not left alone to conduct the research. The professors offer extensive instruction and support throughout the research.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
As a transfer student to NIU, I have been pleasantly surprised by how welcoming all my professors have been. I instantly connected with professors at events such as Week of Welcome and Corn Fest. Many professors have reached out and encouraged me in my academics and involvement on campus.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have connected with other students by joining student organizations. This has been the best way to meet new people who are passionate about the same career. Additionally, volunteering in partnership with NIU at community events such as Corn Fest was a great opportunity to meet others in my field of study.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
Throughout my time at NIU, I have strived to be involved in extracurriculars that give me the opportunity to connect with my peers and are an asset to my career goals. I am currently part of the Communicative Disorders Student Association (COMDSA), Hispanic Association of Bilingual Language Acquisition (HABLA), Signing Huskies, Adela de la Torre Latino Honor Society (ATLHS) and Intercultural Student Organization (ISO). These student organizations have given me the opportunity to further my knowledge of related topics to my field of study outside of the classroom environment.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders recognizes students’ achievements and offers seminars on topics such as inclusive classrooms for neurodiverse students and the Communication Bill of Rights. Each of my professors, along with my advisors, have taken the time to ensure I am on the right path toward my career.

Are there transfer-specific resources, offices or services that you use to help you succeed at NIU?
My advisor, Liz Yee, was open to meeting and answering questions I had about the transfer process before I even came to NIU. She guided me to courses at my community college that would directly transfer for my major.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
All of my professors have been wonderful. However, Dr. Allison Gladfelter, who teaches COMD 221: Phonetics and Phonology, has been one of my favorite professors because she took the time to get to know me and has always encouraged me in everything I do. I truly appreciate the enthusiasm and passion she has for the field of speech-language pathology.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I hear from professors about their personal experiences in the field that I would not have known about through a PowerPoint lecture. It also gives me the opportunity to ask questions and gain further understanding with immediate access to the professor in the classroom.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
The Holmes Student Center has many study areas to offer. I enjoy the varied settings that allow for quiet study time, dining and time spent with friends.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
I would suggest looking at affordability, support the college offers, distance from home, housing options, diversity and the safety of the surrounding area. I knew I wanted to remain somewhat close to home since I am close with my family, which made NIU the perfect option for me.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education broadens my work opportunities and allows me to develop in-depth knowledge of a career that is vital to society.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
Making use of a to-do list and keeping my calendar updated has helped me balance my academic and personal life. If I know I have a busy weekend ahead, I make an effort to finish all assignments in advance to ensure I can spend time with my family and friends.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I check my email at least once a day to stay informed about events around campus and visit the NIU website whenever I am seeking additional information or services.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I enjoy going on walks, reading my Bible and spending time with my family.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I work as a part-time receptionist at a nail salon in my hometown. Outside of work, I enjoy video-editing, shopping and actively serving in my church.